THE LIFE OF A FOXHOUND. 145 



far better without assistance than with it, and 

 the more we receive, the more helpless and 

 artificial we become. I believe I told ye so a 

 short time since, and it is the case, not only 

 with us, but with everybody, two-footed and 

 four, to look for support from those resources, 

 which, through times of difficulties, save 

 labour and exertion, rather than put our own 

 shoulders to the collar. This is but natural, 

 and the blame rests more with those who are 

 unwise enough to forget that we all have our 

 duty to perform, and in doing that of others 

 they commit as great an error as in neglecting 

 their own; because, if not idle themselves, 

 they are the positive cause of neglect and 

 idleness in their fellows." 



" Upon my honour," returned I, " you 

 talk like a philosopher." 



* * Then a philosopher speaks but the simple 

 truth," added my companion, " in very 

 simple language." 



" You never hear," said I, diving again 

 more particularly into our subject, " of men 

 admitting that they had anything to do with 

 losing a fox, although they invariably claim a 

 large share in the honour of killing him." 



* ' You have noticed that, have you ? ' ' 



